July 23, 2025 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 23.07.2025, 19:49
Measures. The governing coalition in Bucharest has decided to postpone until mid-August the adoption of the second package of fiscal measures aimed at reducing the country’s budget deficit. The decision was taken in a context where the Social Democrats expressed their dissatisfaction at not having been consulted on the measures announced by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, in particular those relating to the discontinuation of projects carried out under the “Anghel Saligny” program, whose objective is to modernize local communities through investments in infrastructure. Discussions within the coalition will continue until next week, when each project carried out under this program will be analyzed. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Bolojan and Deputy Prime Minister for Reform Dragoș Anastasiu presented the measures envisaged by the Executive for the reform of state-owned companies. These include reducing the number of members of the boards of directors and supervisory boards of state-owned companies, their remuneration, and capping their benefits. We recall that the government recently took responsibility for the first package of measures to reduce the deficit. This will come into force on August 1 and includes, among other things, an increase in VAT rates, an increase in excise duties, cuts in certain bonuses, and a cap on pensions and salaries.
FDI. Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan stressed on Wednesday, during a meeting with representatives of the Foreign Investors Council, that reform measures will continue to focus on reducing government spending, improving budget revenue collection, and correcting economic imbalances. “Attracting foreign direct investment is a priority for Romania in the coming years,” Ilie Bolojan said, according to a government statement. For their part, foreign investor representatives discussed “ambitious government measures” to stabilize public finances, combat tax evasion, and reduce arrears. During the consultations, the two sides highlighted the importance of promoting a set of fiscal and economic measures that would contribute to sustainable economic growth.
Protests. Trade unions could be pushed into an all-out strike in September if the solutions proposed as alternatives to some of the reform measures announced by the government are not taken into account, said Bogdan Hossu, leader of the Cartel Alfa trade union confederation, on Wednesday, after discussions with the government. The parties agreed that the unions would each appoint a representative to the government working groups set up for each component of the reform, in order to help identify and implement measures to mitigate the negative effects of the fiscal packages initiated by the executive. Bogdan Hossu said that union actions would be determined based on how the government acts. Also on Wednesday, employees of Romanian city halls and rural social assistance units went on a two-hour warning strike, dissatisfied with the austerity measures announced by the government. The protest was attended by 16,000 employees from over 1,200 town halls, who were joined by employees from 400 social assistance units.
Corruption. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan signed on Wednesday the decision to dismiss Cristian Popescu Piedone from his position as president of the National Authority for Consumer Protection. He was placed under judicial control for 60 days by anti-corruption prosecutors in a case in which he is accused of warning a hotel in the mountain resort of Sinaia that he was going to carry out an inspection there. Prosecutors accuse Cristian Popescu Piedone of committing the crime of using, in any way, directly or indirectly, information that is not intended for public disclosure or allowing unauthorized persons access to such information. Thus, investigators say, the accommodation facility was not sanctioned by ANPC representatives but, on the contrary, was congratulated for the way it conducted its business.
Visit. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Ţoiu has conveyed the firm commitment of President Nicuşor Dan, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, and the entire Romanian Government to support the authorities in Chişinău in the process of European integration, during this period, which she called essential for the European future of the Republic of Moldova (a former Soviet republic with a predominantly Romanian-speaking population). During her visit to Chişinău, Oana Ţoiu emphasized, in discussions with the leaders of the pro-Western administration there, the strength of Romania’s relationship with the Republic of Moldova, built on a shared language, history, and traditions.
EYOF. Romanian athletes won their first medals at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) summer edition in Skopje (North Macedonia) and Osijek (Croatia), all three of them bronze. Ana Maria Dogan took the podium in the long jump, Denisa Şerban (44 kg category) and Alin Şorici (55 kg category) – both in judo. Romania is participating in the EYOF with 87 athletes competing in 11 disciplines. On the other hand, Romanian athletes have the best chance of winning medals at the FISU 2025 Summer World University Games in the Rhine-Ruhr region (Germany) in the table tennis tournament. Ioana Sîngeorzan and Elena Zaharia are one victory away from a medal, set to play in the quarterfinals against France’s Cok/Lutz. The men’s pairs Andrei Istrate/Darius Toma and Eduard Ionescu/Darius Movileanu are also close to a medal and will play in the quarterfinals. Three other Romanians have qualified for the next singles round: Eduard Ionescu, Darius Toma, and Andrei Istrate.
Football. Romanian champions FCSB were defeated 1-0 by North Macedonian side KF Shkendija on Tuesday evening in Skopje in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the Champions League. Even though they lost, FCSB remain the favorite to qualify, according to experts. The second leg will take place on July 30 at the National Arena in Bucharest. Two other Romanian teams will play away on Thursday in the second qualifying round of the Conference League. Universitatea Craiova will face FK Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and is considered the favorite, while FC Universitatea Cluj will play against Arat – Armenia. Universitatea Cluj returns to European competition after 53 years. (MI)
